In the 13-year period of 2005 through 2017, canines killed 433 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 66% (284) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Animals Left for Dead, Worker Studding out Pit BullCamden, TN - Police officially shut down the Benton County Animal Shelter today. On January 11, 2008 several rescue volunteers and authorities entered the facility. Once inside, they found at least 12 dead animals. The remaining 60 were suffering from illness and starvation. One dog was found close to death beside her litter of decaying puppies.

Apparently, the shelter's one full time employee, Jackie Boyett, had simply locked the shelter one day and left. Boyett is already facing drug charges, and is due in court January 23rd. Boyett was also found this week to have one of the shelter's pit bulls at home where the dog was being used in a stud service.

Subsequently, Mayor Jimmy Wiseman and shelter employees Jacqueline Boyett and Gilbert Jourdan III were charged with animal cruelty charges. The affidavit accused the mayor of committing animal cruelty and neglect by failing to provide the necessary care for the animals at the shelter, which he had full custody and control over.

After the shelter was closed, 25 puppies had to be euthanized because they had been exposed to parvovirus. West Tennessee Animal Rescue removed 30 animals from the shelter, and cleaned the facility. Some of the animals were placed in foster care, and some were adopted, according to Shannon Dysktra, president and founder of the animal rescue group.

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